Donald Rozman and the K-Dogs Kidz Mission

Mover & Shaker of the Month

By Paula Green

Former Ross Township resident Donald Rozman tragically lost his 11-year-old son Kyle on January 3, 2014. “Kyle was primarily raised by me. Sadly, he was in a tragic car accident as his mother picked him up for the weekend,” said Don. To help cope with the enormous loss, Don founded K-Dogs Kidz Mission to honor his son.

“Kyle got the name K-Dog by teens trying to beat him on the game Guitar Hero at the age of four. Naturally, he loved that! At five, Kyle started guitar lessons. He was a gifted student who enjoyed playing the guitar. Kyle was raised within my martial arts academy. He joined me in anti-bullying seminars and then on motorcycle charity rides. These concepts were all pulled together to help form K-Dogs Kidz Mission, which specializes in anti-bullying and children with disabilities,” said Don.

K-Dogs Kidz is a mission composed of motorcyclists and community members. The motorcycle club (MC) and K-Dogs’ motorcycle mission (MM) are based on Christian religious beliefs. “It was founded thanks to the help of Pastor Chris Hezlep of Ridgewood Church in Allegheny County. Eventually, K-Dogs began to spread and outgrow the church, so it became a nonprofit. None of us accept any income, and every member is also a free volunteer. All donations help the children 100%,” said Don.

Donald & Kyle Rozman

K-Dogs Kidz Mission has five local chapters in Allegheny, North Allegheny, Butler County, Lawrence County and Youngstown, Ohio. “I am the executive director and watch over all the locations and run the smaller missions’ finances. We have approximately 40 full-patched members. Our Allegheny chapter has the most members. This chapter recently opened a contest for Kidz to design their next T-shirt with BHO (Bikers Helping Others). My wife, Dr. Candice Macri, is the Lawrence County leader,” said Don.

“This year, 2021, would have been Kyle’s high school graduation, which is hurtful. As a K-Dogs dad, I have donated $1,000 to K-Dogs for a scholarship to his 2021 graduation at North Hills High School. A cross between COVID restrictions and a broken heart, I’m not positive I will be able to handle attending. I just wanted Kyle to be part of the ‘21 class,” Don added.

“Families love what we do. In 2014, we helped a bullied child with autism that made the national news. We continue to get statewide and even global requests. K-Dogs has been listed in the New York Times, Canadian and Japanese newspapers, and we have followers from Denmark and Australia. I am just a proud dad watching what everyone is doing. Kyle worked with the marine biologist that was in charge of the sharks. He also snorkeled with sharks, manta rays, dolphins and walked on the ocean floor around a sunken ship. Kyle wanted to be the first marine biologist/rock star. If there were a chance, Kyle would have been the one,” Don remarked.

For more information on K-Dogs Kidz Mission, “A Voice for Innocent Children,” visit https://www.facebook.com/kdogskidz